Maryland

For a relatively small state, Maryland certainly packs a punch when it comes to visitor enticements. The state that surrounds the nation’s capital is one of the most densely-populated in the Union, though it still manages to showcase some gorgeous natural assets, not least the Allegheny Mountains to the West and the gloriously scenic Chesapeake Bay to the East. As well as Washington DC satellite districts like Bethesda and Annapolis, The best places to stay in Maryland are an equally wide mix from chic city pads to romantic inns overlooking the bay.

Maryland does of course contain some colourful and characterful cities of its own, which have had principal parts to play in the story of America, notably Baltimore, one of the nation’s great urban renaissance stories. How this post-industrial city, famous for the wrong reasons (as viewers of the TV series The Wire will attest) reinvented itself as a capital of arts, culture, food and leisure is one contemporary urban America’s most pleasing redemption stories (though it still has plenty of challenges).

So whether you’re on for a bit of Civil War history (the site of the great bloodbath Battle of Antietam is beautifully presented), or kayaking, or bird watching in the Chesapeake’s countless inlets and wetlands (St Michael's is a good place be based), or whether you fancy cycling along the C&O Canal to the Great Allegheny Passage, this is a state that will keep the whole family stimulated, surprised and sated with delicious seafood and other regional delicacies.

Our selection of the best places to stay in Maryland represents only the tip of a the iceberg of delightful places to stay, but certainly has something for all tastes and budgets.

For the Best Baltimore Breaks

• Hotel Monaco is a Beaux Arts period delight in the heart of the city, with many original Tiffany features, and spacious rooms with a rich colour palette. B&O Brasserie is reputed to be one of Baltimore's best and you're ideally located for local exploring.
• Hotel Brexton is another period property and this one's claim to fame is that it was the childhood home to Wallis Simpson! Rooms are a mix of modern and traditional, and it's excellent value with rooms from just $119 B&B.

For fabulous views of Chesapeake Bay

• Watch the yachts sail past from the vantage point of an infinity pool in this glorious old colonial-era spa hotel. The Inn at Perry Cabin even has its own offshore sailing school in the season (April-Nov).
• Sailing, fishing and kayaking are all on the menu at Wade's Point Inn on the Bay, an elegant collection of buidlings, connected by manicured lawns. It's the perfect place to contemplate the stunning bay sunsets, glass in hand.
• Sandaway Waterfront Lodging offers not only views of the Chesapeake, but also of the Tred Avon and Choptank rivers. It's elegantly chic and a determinedly private hotel.- perfect for a spot of romance!

For heritage hunters

• The Inn at Henderson's Wharf, Baltimore is a conversion of an old tobacco factory, where the leaves were prepared for their long voyage down the Chesapeake and across the Atlantic to Glasgow, Liverpool and Bordeaux. Nowadays a place of relaxation and character rather than hard work.
• Historic Inns of Annapolis - the plural comes from the fact that this is actually three townhouses in the old coastal town of Annapolis, best known for the grand presence of the US Naval Academy. Great place from which to explore Washington DC and Baltimore and the National Maritime Museum is nearby.
• Admiral Fell Inn, Baltimore is a dockside hotel with a fantastically colourful history based in the old (founded 1730!) shipbuilding centre of Fell’s Point. The area became a bit rough in the 19th century but has long since cleaned up its act and now this unique boutique is in the middle of one of the most vibrant and evocative parts of Old Baltimore.

Still can’t decide on the best places to stay in Maryland? Contact one of our friendly gurus for advice!